Autism, ADHD & Dyspraxia
Drumming teaches you when to play but also when to pause, which can be really helpful in controlling impulsive behaviour and developing motor coordination.
Drumming has been found to reduce hyperactivity and inattention in autistic adolescents, it also strengthens functional connectivity in brain regions responsible for inhibitory control and action outcome monitoring.
Addiction Recovery
The structured nature of drumming and beat patterns has been found to help alleviate physical and psychological tension through non verbal self-expression. As people take control of the drums, they actually take control of themselves.
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Isolation is a significant challenge with dementia, due to the decline in behavioural and cognitive functions. Drumming supports the release of endorphins and neurochemicals that are responsible for feelings of social bonding, empathy, and trust.
Anger Management
Drumming offers a non verbal way to express emotions without harming yourself or other people, and this is key to anger management.
Cognitive Health
Drumming gives your brain a neurological workout by activating the three main cortices (motor, visual and auditory). Every time you practice the drums your brain rewires itself by strengthening synapses and building new neuron's, your brain is even more plastic, receptive, and responsive.
Eating Disorders
Studies suggest that drumming can be a particularly effective distraction from eating disorder behaviours, especially in a group drumming workshop or a community drumming type setting.
Headache & Migraine
Drumming releases endorphins in the brain which are natural pain-relieving and mood enhancing chemicals that can help reduce headache symptoms. Drumming can also divert attention away from pain, providing a positive and engaging activity that can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines.
Menopause
Currently there are no research studies or papers focused on the efficacy of drumming for women experiencing symptoms of menopause. However there is some anecdotal evidence of the benefits of drumming, most notably from Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, who says learning the drums helped her cope with the menopause.
Mental Health
Depression is linked to an inflammation in the immune system. Research into drumming has seen a shift towards an anti-inflammatory immune profile; a finding parallel to results from studies involving anti-depressant medication.
Plasticity
Brain plasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt throughout our lives, rewiring itself in response to new experiences, learning, and environmental changes. Regular drumming practice can increase the number of neural connections in the brain, leading to enhanced plasticity.
PTSD
Trauma can isolate and disconnect people from society. Drumming studies with soldiers have been found to increase a sense of openness, togetherness, belonging and sharing.
Stroke & Parkinson's
Rhythm is key to the treatment of Parkinson's and stroke. Drumming to a strong beat helps to retrain the brain by providing a rhythmic cue that people can use to initiate and time their movements.
Stroke patients that took part in drumming sessions twice a week improved the function in their arms and hands, which helped them to re-learn essential tasks like getting dressed.
